Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of chin scar is denied as there is no evidence of additional disability caused by VA care.

The Board has found that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran was also requested to provide information about any correctional facility where he was incarcerated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of March 31, 2001 for service connection of his hidradenitis surgery scars associated with PFB. The issues of rating and SMC are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his back disability is dismissed. The extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 1, 2018, based on a period of convalescence for service-connected back disability is denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and compensation for various conditions, including PTSD, corneal retinal scar, ulna fracture, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal as these issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received for the claim of entitlement to service connection for lower left leg lipoma. The Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, corneal scar of the left eye, lichen planus, PTSD, and TDIU are remanded due to receipt of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his disabilities are not so exceptional that it renders application of the regular schedular ratings impractical. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for a left palm scar and service connection for a left knee disorder due to additional relevant evidence being associated with the file after the April 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and various knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since July 9, 2018.

The Board has determined that the November 2018 VA examination is inadequate and remands both issues for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation and render him permanently housebound, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right lower extremity scars, right hip disability, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) claims. The VA will schedule the Veteran for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hip disability and provide him with a supplemental statement of the case regarding all issues remanded in this opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and left-hand middle finger disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The VA is required to provide an addendum medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including pain, spasm, and spondylosis, as well as his pre-existing left-hand middle finger scar.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and pulmonary scarring, which are related to asbestos exposure. The examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements and medical literature.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and unclear events. The Veteran's representative cited articles and theories of entitlement, which need to be addressed in new opinions.

The Veteran's right little finger scar and status post fracture of the right little finger were both granted a disability rating. The scar was rated at 0 percent, while the fracture-related condition received a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the cases for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right shoulder scar and entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected facial scar was denied an increased rating, with a current noncompensable disability rating prior to February 1, 2020, and a 30 percent disability rating from February 1, 2020 onwards.